7 simple ways to save money on family travel

Glossy travel articles, friends' Facebook photos, and dreamy websites are all enticing when it comes to picking a vacation destination, but cost is a big consideration for most of us. After all, when three or more of you are sleeping, eating, and playing, the expenses add up fast.

There's no need to pay full price, though – or anything close – when your family goes on vacation. With a few simple maneuvers, you can learn how to get in on the best deals and become a savvy bargain traveler.

1. Sign up for lists

There's a wealth of websites (such as TravelZoo, Airfare Watchdog, TheFlightDeal), newsletters, and alerts (Last Minute Travel, individual airlines), Facebook pages, and other services designed to help connect price-conscious consumers with travel deals. You just need to sign up for alerts, add bookmarks, become a follower, and otherwise keep your eye out – and then act quickly when something appeals to your family.

2. Play the promo game

Room rates are like a game of roulette – it's all in how you roll. Before making a reservation, always check hotel and resort websites for promo deals such as family packages, off-season or mid-week rates, or added benefits such as free attraction tickets or meal vouchers. It's also always worth checking Groupon and other coupon sites for anything relevant.

3. Combine to save

When choosing flights and hotels through online booking engines like Expedia, Priceline, and Hotwire, you can't help but notice those pop-up enticements to add reservations for rental cars and other options. Don't click on them just yet! Although these combined deals really do shave dollars off the total price in many cases, it's best to take a hard look at what's on offer. Then do a bit of additional research (hint: Open another screen) to see if you can beat the cost yourself. If not, you've just checked two items off your list.

4. Go local

When booking hotels and motels, it's typical to start by visiting the websites for national chains. However, individual properties that are part of a chain may offer deals that aren't available when you book on the website. After checking with the national office, look up the local telephone number (most likely a local area code, not the 800 number) for the individual property and call direct.

Be sure to ask about discounts for membership in organizations such as AAA or, if you're an older parent or grandparents are joining you, AARP. You might be surprised by what the local manager will do to get you in the door (and don't be afraid to haggle). In addition, by signing up as a "member" of a chain, you may also be offered discounts.

5. Location, location, location

It's as true in vacation planning as it is in real estate. If you're planning to visit a major city or popular destination and get sticker shock when you check room rates at downtown or beachfront hotels, try booking a place that's a little farther from the center – you can often cut prices by as much as half. You may also save money on parking and other amenities, which downtown hotels tend to charge for while suburban and smaller town properties do not. An added benefit: You may discover a cool new neighborhood or dining district in the process.

6. Read the fine print

Have you ever arrived at your destination only to be surprised by added costs for additional occupants, wi-fi, or so-called "resort fees" to use the pool, gym, and other features you assumed were included? Avoid being blindsided by asking ahead of time about what's included in your quoted rate and factoring in those costs when comparison shopping.

7. Be flexible

Sometimes that third week in July really is the only time the entire family can travel together. But in most cases, there's at least a little wiggle room as to when you go and possibly how long you stay – and that's where big savings can come in.

Hotel prices are much lower mid-week, and flight prices are nearly always cheaper on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, so traveling Tuesday to Tuesday or Saturday to Saturday can save you a huge amount over the traditional Friday to Sunday. (Many airline and travel engine websites now allow you to use a "flexible date search" feature, making it easier to see which travel days will save you money.)

Likewise, never underestimate the value of traveling off-season. Like Europe, theme parks, zoos, and beach towns are much less crowded – and as result, more fun – in the spring and fall, even if you need to wear an extra layer or two. And a trip to, say, Costa Rica, Hawaii, or the Yucatan could easily come to a third of the price during the rainy season, and you may find it really only rains a couple of hours a day – conveniently during nap time.

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